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f/. 


1.0 


I.I 


1.25 


■-  IIIM 

|50     '""^^ 

^    US,    12.0 


IM 

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1.8 


1.6 


Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


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'■A''"S^S?-?-*'-H^'^-S"!5!S3i'W»S?*ii'!!rVi 


i: 


I 


I 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


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10X 

14X 

18X 

22X 

26X 

30X 



I 

^■"^ 

hai^^a 

IPX 

16X 

20X 

24X 

28X 

32X 

ire 

details 
es  du 
modifier 
er  une 
filmage 


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filmage. 


6es 


re 


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sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
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right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
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method: 


Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprimAe  sont  film^s  en  commenpant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  selon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  film^s  en  commenqant  par  la 
premidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
derniftre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbole  -^-signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbole  V  signifie  "FIN". 

Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  dtre 
fiim6s  d  des  taux  de  reduction  diffdrents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clich6,  il  est  film6  d  partir 
de  Tangle  sup6rieur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas.  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  n6cessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  m6thode. 


ly  errata 
Bd  to 

nt 

ne  pelure, 

ipon  d 


1 

2 

3 

32X 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

4^0N\F0RT  FOR  THE  SICK 


Comfort  ye,  comfort  ve  my  people, 
saith  your  God.-i.sAiAn  xl,  i. 


BY  / 

WIL  JAM  E.^CLENNAN 


f 


CINCr.\NATI:  CRASSTON  df  Ci'RTS 
:^'EIV  YORK:  HV.\T  &  BATON 


tS<)2 


-K- 


15  V^  i,  ■••'  b 


.  Mi 


c> 


CO]' y  RIGHT 

JIY  CRAy.STOX  c-   CL'RT.S, 

tSpl. 


4  ij  '•'  i3 


^6 


5 


CTS, 


I- 


PREFATORY  NOTE. 


"g^OMFORT   for  the   Sick"  is  not   a 
1     plea  in   behalf  of  some   new  nos- 
'     trnm  for  the  ills  of  the  flesh.     It 
I    is  a  message  of-consolation  to  the 
sonl.      That    it   may,   in    .  ome    slight 
measure,  prepare  the  way  for  Him  whose 
touch  gives  "  infinite  calm,"  is  the  sin- 
cere wish  of 

—  3  — 


THK  WRITHK. 


low  a  certain  man  was  sick,  named 
Lazarus,  of  Bethany,  the  town  of  Mary 
and  her  sister  Martha.  (It  was  that 
Mary  which  anointed  the  Lord  with 
ointment,  and  wiped  his  feet  with  her 
hair,  whose  brother  Lazarus  was  sick.) 
Therefore  his  sisters  sent  unto  him,  say- 
ing. Lord,  behold,  he  whom  thou  lovest 
is  sick.  When  Jesus  heard  that,  he 
said,  This  sickness  is  not  unto  death, 
but  for  the  glory  of  God,  that  the  Son 
of  'God    might    be    glorified    thereby. 

(John  xi,  1-4.) 

■>l-»-K' 

Whether  therefore   ye  eat,  or  drink, 
or  whatsoever  ye  do,  do  all  to  the  glory 
of  God.    (i  Cor.  X,  3I.) 
—  4  — 


s  sick,  named 
•  town  of  Mary 
(It  was  that 
the  Lord  with 
1  feet  with  her 
arus  was  sick.) 
t  unto  him,  say- 
loni  thou  lovcst 
heard  that,  he 
lot  unto  death, 
d,  that  the  Son 
irified    thereby. 


e  eat,  or  drink, 
all  to  the  glory 


(oMFORT  FOR  THE  SiCK. 


iv 


THE    desire    for    comfort,"    says 
Phillips    Brooks,    "may    be    a 
very  high   or   a   very  low,  a  noble 
or  a  most  ignoble  wish."     Whether 
i    it  shall  be  the  one  or  the  other  is 
determined    by    the    object    for    which 
comfort  is  sought.      If  it  means  cessa- 
tion from  pain  and   nothing  more,  the 
desire  for  it  is  no  higher  than  the  crav- 
ing for  an  opiate.     On  the  other  hand, 
if  one  seeks  comfort  so  that  he  may  be 
stronger  to  bear,  not  only  his  own  ills, 
but  those  of  others  also,  his  desire  for 

it  is  most  commendable. 
—  5  — 


ilJCvSvSKD  are  they  that  mourn:    for  they 
shall  be  comforted.     (Matt,  v,  4.) 

The  Sjjirit  of  the  Lord   Clod   is  upon 

me;    because   the    I<ord    hath    anointed 

me    to    preach    good    tidinps    unto    the 

meek;  he  hath  sent  me  to  bind  up  the 

broken-hearted,  to  proclaim  liberty  to  the 

cajitivcs,  and  the  opening  of  the  prison 

to  them  that  are  bound;  to  proclaim  the 

acceptable  year  of  the  Lord,  and  the  day 

of  vengeance  of  our  God ;  to  comfort  all 

that  mourn;  to  appoint  unto  them  that 

mourn  in  Zion,  to  give  unto  them  beauty 

for  ashes,  the  oil  of  joy  for  mourning, 

the  garment  of  praise  for  the  spirit  of 

heaviness.    (Lsaiah  Ixj,  1-3.) 
—  6  — 


lourn:    for  they 

tt.  V,  4.) 

:1  Ciod  is  upon 
hath  anointed 
linjr.s  unto  the 
to  bind  up  the 
in  liberty  to  the 
5  of  the  prison 
to  proclaim  the 
rd,  and  the  day 
;  to  comfort  all 
unto  them  that 
ito  them  beauty 
for  mourning, 
)r  the  spirit  of 
-3.) 


COMFORT  FOR  THE  SICK. 


There   are    some   who    say   that   the 
sick   do  not  need  comfort,  but  advice  ; 
they  should  be  told  the  nature  of  their 
sickness,  and   have   cited  the   remedies 
and    regimen    necessary    for   their    re- 
covery.    This    was    the    ground    taken 
by  the  friends  of  Job.     But  the  result  of 
their  colloquy  was  not  altogether  satis- 
factory.    Job  replies  to  their  plethoric 
advice  by   telling  them  that  they  are 
physicians  of  no  value. 

Others  will  tell  ns  that  since  sick- 
ness is  the  common  lot  of  all,  whatever 
comfort  we  may  need  must  be  found 
in  the  thought  that  our  afflictions 
neither  differ  from  nor  are  harder  to 
bear  than  those  of  millions  of  the  race. 
Miserable    comforters,   miserable    com- 

—  7  — 


|i!rar<'^K  ii  bcranic  him,  for  whom  arc  all 
^^  things,  and  by  whom  are  all  tliin>;,s,  in 
IjritiKiiiK  many  sons  unto  aUny.  to  make 
the  captain  of  their  salvation  lurlVct 
throuKh  sufllrinj^s.  (Hebrews  ii,  lo.) 
■>l'fl<- 
For  verily  he  took  not  on  him  the 
natnre  of  anjrels;  hut  hr  took  on  him 
the  .seed  of  Abraham.  Wherefore  in  all 
thin^.s  it  behooved  him  to  be  made  like 
unto  his  brethren,  that  he  might  be  .1 
merciful  and  faithful  hijrh  priest  in 
thintjs  pertainiufjf  to  (lod,  to  make  rec- 
onciliation for  the  sins  of  the  people. 
For  in  that  he  him.self  hath  .sufTered 
beiiifr  tempted,  he  is  al)!e  to  succor 
them  that  are  tempted.  (Hebrews  ii, 
16-18.) 

—  8  — 


T 


COMIOIM    I  "I'    nil    SICK. 


whom  arc  all 
e  all  things,  in 
I  lihny.  to  make 
Ivatioii  pirlVct 
(lews  ii,  lo.) 

ot  on  him  the 
n  took  on  him 
I'horcfori.'  in  all 
lo  he  madu  like 
he  mijfhl  he  a 
liKh  priest  in 
1,  lo  make  rcc- 
of  the  people, 
hath  sufTered 
ihle  to  succor 
(Hehrews  ii. 


fort!      In    the    Scriptures    the    fact    of 
Christ's   sufTerinj;   is    never    referred    to 
as  of  itself  a  source  of  comfort.     The 
Captain  of  our  salvation  was  made  like 
unto    his    l)rethren    in    order    that    he 
might   understand   the   ills   of  our   hu- 
manity, and,  girded    with    that   knowl- 
edge, he   comes   to  the   bedside  of   the 
sick,  saying,  "  I  have  sufT»;red,"     .    .     . 
"  I  am  able   to  succor."     He  does  not 
come    repeating    the    trite    philosophy 
concerning    the    universality    of    pain, 
but  invites  us  to  come  unto  him  and 
find  rest.     "]My  peace  I  give  unto  you. 
Not  as  the  world  giveth,  give  I   unto 
you.     Let  not  your  heart   be  troubled, 
neither  let  it  be  afraid."     O,  beloved, 
let  us  not  think  of  the   Master  other 


U\\S  thf  even  was  come,  they  l)r()uj!;lit 
unto  him  many  that  were  possessed 
with  devils;  and  he  cast  (mt  the  spirits 
with  his  word,  and  heah.-d  all  that  were 
sick :  that  it  niijrht  be  fulfdled  which 
was  s])()ken  l)y  Ivsaias  the  jnoijlict,  say 
in^.  Himself  took  our  infirmities,  and 
bare  our  sicknes.ses.     (Matt,  viii,  i6,  17.) 

But  when  he  saw  the  multitudes,  he 
was  moved  with  compas.siou  on  them, 
because  they  fainted,  and  were  scattered 
abroad,  as  sheep  having  no  shepherd. 
(Matt.  i.\.  .^/i.) 

When  jesus  therefore  saw  her  weep- 
in<;-,  and  the  Jews  also  weei)in}?  which 
came  with  her,  he  groaned  iu  the  spirit, 
and  was  troubled,  and  said.  Where  have 

« 

ye  laid  him?     They  say  unto  him.  Lord, 
come   and   .see.     Je.sus   wept,      (John   xi, 

,VV.i,S-) 


Comfort  for  the  sick. 


L-,  they  brought 
were  possessed 
;  out  tlie  spirits 
<;d  all  that  were 
fulfilled  which 
he  i)roi)het,  say- 
inliruiities,  and 
latt.  viii,  1 6,  17.) 

le  multitudes,  he 
assiou  on  them, 
(1  were  scattered 
ij;   no  shejiherd. 


e  saw  her  weep- 
»  weejjing  which 
ned  in  the  spirit, 
said.  Where  have 
•  unto  him.  Lord, 
Acpt,      (John  xi. 


than   as    the   divine    sympathizer   with 
man's    weaknesses!      That    he    conld 
censnre    when   necessary,  his   words   to 
the  Pharisees  and   scribes  plainly  wit- 
ness.    But  he   had   only  tenderness   in 
dealing  with  the  weak,  the  sorrowing, 
and    the    sick.      Wherever    he    walked 
there  sprung  up  flowers  whose  heavenly 
perfume  brought   cheer  and  succor  to 
the   faint   and   fallen.     And  he   is  the 
same    yesterday,    to-day,    and    forever. 
His  promise  is,  "I  will   not  leave  you 
coiTifortless;   I  will  come  to  you  "—to 

YOU. 

To  be  a  perfect  Savior,  Jesus  ran  the 
whole  gauntlet  of  human  suffering. 
He  calls  upon  us  to  follow  his  steps. 
We   are   commissioned    to  minister   to 


—  II 


|0R  even  hereunto  were  ye  called  ;  be- 
cause Christ  also  suffered  for  us,  leaving 
us  an  example,  that  ye  should  follow  his 
steps,     (i  Peter  ii,  21.) 

Bles.sed  be  God,  even  the  Father  of 

our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,   the   Father   of 

mercies,   and   the   God   of  all  comfort, 

who  comforteth  us  in  all  our  tribulation, 

that  we  may  be  able  to  comfort  them 

which  are  in  any  trouble,  by  the  comfort 

wherewith  we   ourselves   are  comforted 

of  God.     (2  Cor.  i,  ■>,,  4.) 
— 12  — 


Comfort  for  the  Sick. 


e  called  ;  be- 
or  us,  leaving 
uld  follow  his 


the  Father  of 
lie  F'ather  of 
all  comfort, 
Lir  tribulation, 
:onifort  them 
)}'  the  comfort 
ire  comforted 


all;    to  cheer   and   uplift   and  comfort 
the  suffering  everywhere.     But  this  we 
can  not  do  unless  we  he  prepared  for 
it   as   was   our   Lord.     To  be   sons   of 
consolation  we  must  know  the  fellow- 
ship of  our  Lord's  suffering.     We  must 
drink  of  his  cup  and  be  baptized  with 
his  baptism.     Sickness,  then,  we   may 
accept  as  a  part  of  our  schooling  for 
the  higher  life  of  service. 

But  sickness  has  another  mission 
quite  as  in.portant  as  that  of  preparing 
us  to  comfort  others.  Surrounded  by 
a  material  world,  we  are  in  constant 
danger  of  becoming  materialists  un- 
consciously. Think  of  the  time  spent 
in  providing  merely  for  food  and  cloth- 
ing. And  when  these  are  gained,  what 
-  13- 


?(1  MAN  can  serve  two  masters:  for  either 
he  will  hate  the  one,  and  love  the  other; 
or  else  he  will  hold  to  the  one,  and  de- 
spise the  other.  Ye  can  not  serve  (iod 
and  mammon.  Therefore  I  say  unto 
you,  Take  no  thought  for  j-our  life,  what 
ye  shall  eat,  or  what  ye  shall  drink ;  nor 
yet  for  your  body,  what  ye  shall  put  on. 
Is  not  the  life  more  than  meat,  and  the 
body  than  raiment?  Behold  the  fowls 
of  the  air:  for  they  sow  not,  neither  do 
they  reap,  nor  gather  into  barns;  yet 
your  heavenly  Father  feedeth  them. 
Are  ye  not  much  better  than  tlicy? 
(Matt,  vi,  24-26.) 

But  seek  ye  first  the  kingdom  of 
God,  and  his  righteou,sness ;  and  all 
these  things  shall  be*  added  unto  you. 

(Matt,  vi,  33.) 

—  14  — 


CDMFORT  FOR  THH  SlC.K. 


:rs:  for  either 
ive  the  other ; 
one,  and  de- 
ot  serve  Ciod 
I  say  unto 
our  life,  what 
ill  drink;  nor 
;  shall  put  on. 
meat,  and  the 
old  the  fowls 
ot,  neither  do 
Lo  barns;  yet 
eedeth  them, 
r   than    tlicy? 


:  kingdom  of 
less;  and  all 
led  unto  you. 


a   struggle   there    is    fur    the    nuiterial- 
ities!     Observe  with  what  pride,  ahiiost 
veneration,    the     athlete     regards     his 
body.     That  money-getter  worships  his 
pile   of    gold.     The   agriculturist  looks 
at  his  fields  of  grain  and  his  immense 
stretches    of     wood     and    pasture-land 
with   something   more   than   reverence. 
These   men,  whether   they  admit   it  or 
not,  are   materialists,  and   of   the   very 
worst    sort.     Suddenly   they   are    pros- 
trated   by   a    fever.     The    strong    man 
loses   his   faith   in   the  flesh,  the  miser 
sees   no   help   in    his   gold,   while    the 
earth   earthy  has   no  enchantment   for 
the  greedy  getter  of  the  soil.     Though 
not  all  worshipers,  we  are  all  subject 

to  the  influence,  of  mammon,  and  the 
—  15- 


jffllF,  judgments  of  the  Lord  arc  true  and 

f^   righteous  altogether.     More  to  be  desired 

are  they  than  gold,  yea,  than  much  fine 

gold:    sweeter   also  than   honey   and   the 

/     honeyconil).     Moreover    by   them    is   thy 

i     servant  warned.     (I'salnis  .\ix,  9-1 1.) 

niessed  is  the  man  whom  thou  chasten- 
e.st,  ()  Lord,  and  teachest  him  out  of  thy 
law.     (I'sahns  xeiv,  12.) 

In  the  day  of  prosperity  be  joyful, 
but  in  the  day  of  adversity  consider. 
(l';ccles.  vii,  14.) 

I  know,  0  Lord,  that  thy  judgments 
are  right,  and  that  thou  in  faithfulness 

* 

hast  afflicted  me.     (Psalms  cxix,  75.) 
—  16  — 


ii 


COMFOUT  roK  THR  SiCK. 


are  true  and 
to  be  desired 
an  much  fine 
ancy  and  the 
them  is  tliy 
:ix,  9-11.) 

thoii  chasten- 
im  out  of  thv 


ity   be  joyful, 
sity   consider. 


hy  judgments 
n  faith  fuhiess 
cxix,  75.) 


good   Father,  who  knoweth  our  frame, 

shatters  our  idols,  so  that,  losing  faith 

in  them,  we  may  at  last  find   all  our 

satisfaction  in  those  things  which  make 

for  righteousness  and   everlasting  life. 

It  is  well  to  learn  also  that  sickness 

is  God's  method  of  teaching  us  how  to 

care    for    these    bodies    of    ours.     The 

child    learns    to    keep    away   from    fire 

because    a    burn    causes    pain.      If    it 

were  not  for  the  pain,  the  mortality  of 

children,   due    to    accidents    from    fire, 

would    be    increased    a    hundred-fold. 

But  fire  is  only  one  of  many  agencies 

of  death,  which,  together,  would   soon 

destroy  the  whole  race  were  it  not  for 

the   suffering   they  cause.     From    this 

stand-point,    pain,     instead     of    being 
-17- 


(? 


fOK  wliich  i"Uise  vvc  faint  not;  hut  though 
our  outward  man  perish,  yet  tlie  inward 
man  is  renewed  day  hy  (Uiy,  I'or  our 
lij^ht  aflliclion,  whicli  is  hut  for  a  mo- 
ment, worketh  for  us  a  far  more  exceed- 
ing and  eternal  weight  of  K'^ry;  while 
we  look  not  at  the  things  which  are  seen. 
but  at  the  thmtjs  which  are  not  seen  : 
for  the  things  which  are  seen  arc  tem- 
poral; but  the  things  which  are  not  seen 
arc  eternal.     (2  Cor.  iv,  16-1S.) 

Furthermore,  we  have  had  fathers  of 
our  (Icsh  which  corrected  us,  and  we  jjave 
them  reverence :  shall  we  not  much  rather 
be    in    subjection    unto    the    I'ather    of 
Spirits,  and  live?     I'or  they  verily  for  a 
few  days  chastened  us  after  their  own 
pleasure;   but  he  for  our  profit,  that  we 
might    be    partakers    of    his    holiness. 
Now  no  chastening  for^the  present  .seem- 
eth  to  be  joyous,  but  grietous:  neverthe- 
less, afterward  it  yieldeth  the  peaceable 
fruit  of  righteousness  unto  them  which 
are  exerci.sed  thereby.     (Heb.  xii,  9-11.) 
-  18  — 


L;  hut  lhouj,'h 
ct  tlic  inwiinl 
lay.  I'or  our 
)Ut  for  a  nio- 
uiorc  cxcct'd- 
jjlory;  whik' 
,hich  are  sccu. 
arc  uot  seen  . 
seen  are  tem- 
h  are  not  seen 

had  fathers  of 
IS,  and  we  jjave 
ot  much  rather 
the  l'"ather  of 
ey  verily  for  a 
fter  their  own 
profit,  that  we 
his  holiness. 
.■  present  seeni- 
'ous:  neverthe- 
1  the  peaceable 
to  them  which 
Heb.  xii,  9-11.) 


COMFORT  FOR  THE  SiCK. 

looked   upon   as  an   evidence   of  ('.od's 
anger,  may  be  regarded   as  a  token  of 
his  love.     Every  disease  is  eloquent  in 
warning.     The  typhus  voices  imperfect 
ventilation    and    nncleanncss,    cholera, 
impure   water,   and   a   polluted  atmos- 
phere.    Though   regarded   as  enemies, 
these    and    similar   diseases   are   really 
angels  in  disguise. 

The  vScriptures,  however,  clearly  re- 
veal that  God  uses  sickness  for  higher 
ends  than  to  teach  us  merely  the  laws 
of  nature.  I  say  merely  the  laws  of 
nature;  for,  however  great  may  be  our 
obligation  to  know  God's  will  concern- 
ing the  body,  that  obligation  is  small 
in  comparison  to  that  of  learning  his 

will    with    respect    to    the    soul.     We 
—  19— 


K;NI)  one  of  the  ciders  answered,  saying 
»uUo  nie,  What  arc  these  which  arc  ar- 
rayed in  white  robes?  and  whence  came 
they?  And  I  said  unto  liim,  Sir,  thou 
knowest.  And  he  said  to  nic.  These  arc 
they  which  came  out  of  K^eat  tribula- 
tion, and  have  washed  their  robes,  and 
made  them  white  in  the  blood  of  the 
Lamb.  Therefore  arc  they  before  the 
throne  of  (iod,  and  serve  him  day  and 
ni^ht  in  his  temple ;  and  he  that  sitteth 
on  the  throne  shall  dwell  anions  them. 
They  shall  hunger  no  more,  neither 
thirst  any  more ;  neither  shall  the  sun 
light  on  them,  nor  any  heat.  For  the 
Lamb  which  is  in  the  midst  of  the 
throne  shall  feed  them,  and  shall  lead 
them  unto  living  fountains  of  waters: 
and  (iod  shall  wipe  avvay  all  tears  from 

their  eyes.     (Rev.  vii,  13-17) 
—  20  — 


vered,  saying 
which  are  ar- 
whencc  came 
lim,  Sir,  thou 
me,  These  arc 
i^reat  tribula- 
.•ir  robes,  and 
blood  of  the 
;y  before  the 
him  day  and 
le  that  sitteth 
among  thenv. 
more,  neither 
shall  the  sun 
leat.  For  the 
midst  of  the 
nd  shall  lead 
ns  of  waters; 
all  tears  from 
17) 


CdMFOKT  ti)R  TMK  SICK. 

may  be  sure,  therefore,  that  while  God 
would  teach  us,  through  sickuess,  les- 
sons  for   the   body,  he   is   much   more 
concerned  in  teaching  ns  lessons  which 
shall  help  ns  to  be  more  and  more  like 
those   who,  coming   up    through   great 
tribulation,   have    washed    their   robes, 
and  made  them  white  in  the  blood  of 
the  Lamb.     Even  the  machinations  of 
Satan  are  used  o<"ttimes  of  God  for  our 
good.     The  Adversary  smote  Job  with 
boils  "  from  the  sole  of  his  foot  unto 
his  crown."     But  contrary  to  the  ex- 
pectation of  the  Tormentor,  that  which 
he  supposed  would  work  the  overthrow 
of    the    servant    of    God,   became    the 
means    of    bringing    him    nearer    his 
Creator.     "  I  have  heard  of  thee,"  said 

—  21  — 


I  IIAVIv  Itarnucl,  in  whatsoever  state  I  am, 
9>  therewith  to  be  content.     (I'hil.  iv,  n.) 

Be  content  with   sucl:  things  as   ye 

■     have:    for   he    hatli    said,  I    will  never 

leave    thee,    nor    forsake  thee.  (Heb. 
xiii,  5.) 

But  godliness  with  contentment  is 
great  gain.  For  we  brought  nothing  into 
this  world,  and  it  is  certain  we  can  carry 
nothing  out.  And  having  food  and 
raiment,  let  us  be  therewith  content. 
(I  Tim.  vi,  6-8.) 

Bles'.sed  are  the  poor  in  spirit:  for 
theirs  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven.     (Matt. 

V.3.) 

—  22  — 


(,(),\\l  iilM    I  t>l<    nil.  SICK. 


cr  stutc  I  am, 
I'hil.  iv,  II.) 

things  as  ye 
I  will  never 
thte.      (Hcb. 


antentment  is 
It  nothing  into 
1  we  can  carry 
ng  food  and 
jwith    content. 


in   spirit;    for 
leavcn.     (Matt. 


Job,  "!)>•   the-   hearing  of  the   ear,  but 
,io\v"— now  that  he  had  pas.sed  through 
the     season     of     physical     sulTering— 
"  mine    eye    seelh    thee."      "  And    the 
Lord     turned     the     captivity    of    Job. 
.       Also     the     Lord     gave     Job 
twice    as     much     as     he     had     before. 
So    the     Lord     blessed     the 
latter  end  of  Job  more  than  his  begin- 
ning."    We  often  wonder  why  he  who 
loves   us    so,   and   who   has   all   power, 
does    not    heal    us   just    when    we   ask 
him  to.     That  questioning  is  answered 
iu    the    experience    of    St.    Paul.     He 
speaks  of  a  "  thorn  in  the    flesh,"  and 
though    he    besought    the    Lord    three 
times   that    it    might    be   removed,  his 
prayer   was   unanswered.     But   he   was 

--   2.^  — 


jND  when  he  was  in  affliction,  he  be- 
sought the  Lord  his  Cod,  and  humbled 
himself  greatly  before  the  God  of  his 
fathers.  And  prayed  unto  him  :  and  he 
was  entreated  of  him,  and  heard  his 
supplication,  and  brought  him  again  to 
Jerusalem  into  his  kingdom.  Then 
Manasseh  knew  that  the  I.ord  he  was 
God.     (2  Chron.  x.viii,  12,  i,v) 

Before  I  was  afflicted  T  went  astray: 
but  now  have  I  kept  thy  word.  It  is 
good  for  me  that  I  have  been  afflicted; 
that  I  might  learn  thy  statutes.  (I'salms 
cxix,  67,  71.) 

My  brethren,  count  it  all  joy  when 
ye  fall  into  divers  temptations;  know- 
ing this,  that  the  trying  of  your  faith 
worketh  patience.  But  let  patience 
have  her  perfect  work,  that  ye  may  be 
perfect    and    entire,    wanting    nothing. 

(James  i,  2-4.) 

—  24  — 


COMFORT  FOR  THE  SlCK. 


ctioii,  liu  be- 
aiul  humbled 
e  God  of  his 

him :  and  he 
lid  heard  his 
him  aS'iiii  t<> 
fdom.       Then 

I^ord  he  was 

went  astray: 
,'  word.  It  is 
jeen  afflicted; 
utes.  (I'sahiis 


all  joy  when 
itions;    know- 

of  your  faith 

let    patience 

lat  ye  may  be 

ting    nothing. 


assured  that  grace  sufficient  would  be 
given     him     to     withstand     the     trial. 
"  ^lost  gladly,  therefore,"  exclaims  the 
apostle,  "will    I    glory    in    my   infirmi- 
ties, that  the  power  of  Christ  may  rest 
upon    me.     Therefore,    I    take  pleasure 
in   infirmities,  in   reproaches,  in  neces- 
sities, in  persecutions,  in   distresses  for 
Christ's  sake;    for  whkx   I   am  wkak, 
THKX  a:\t  I  STRONG. "     Tliose  who  be- 
lieve the  Christian  need  never  be  sick 
forget     that     sickness     is    one    of    the 
means   God  employs   for   purifying  his 
people,  and  for  leading  the  sinner  to  re- 
pentance.    Countless  saints  will  testify 
that  through  the  weakness  of  the  flesh 
they  obtained  divine  strength,  and  found 

resting  upon  them  the  power  of  Christ. 

—  25- 


\s  any  sick  among  you?  let  him  call  for 
5  the  elders  of  the  church;  and  let  thcni 
pray  over  him,  anointing  hii"  with  oil  in 
the  name  of  the  Lord :  and  the  prayer  of 
faith  shall  save  the  sick,  and  the  Lord 
.shall  raise  him  uj) ;  and  if  he  have  com- 
mitted .sins,  they  shall  be  forgiven  him. 
(James  v,  14,  15.) 

■>!•  ■•••«• 
Yet  I  supposed  it  necessary  to  send  to 
you  I'*pai)hroditus,  my  brother,  and  com- 
panion in  labor,  and  fellow  soldier,  but 
your  mes.seiiger,  and  he  that  mini.stered 
to  my  wants.  I"or  he  longed  after  you 
all,  and  was  full  of  heaviness,  because 
that  ye  had  heard  that  he  had  been  sick. 
l<*or  indeed  he  was  sick  nigh  unto  death: 
but  Cod  had  mercy  on  him;  and  not  on 
him  only,  but  on  me  also,  le.st  I  should 
have  .sorrow  upon  .sorrow.  (Phil,  ii,  25-27.) 

Turn  again,  and  tell  Hezekiah  the  cap- 
tain of  my  people.  Thus  saith  the  Lord, 
the  God  of  David  thy  father,  I  have 
heard  thy  prayer,  I  have  seen  thy  tears: 
behold,  I  will  heal  thee.  (2  Kings  xx,  5.) 
-26  — 


COMFORT  FOR  THE  SICK. 


him  call  for 
and  let  thcin 
m  with  oil  in 
the  prayer  of 
md  the  Lord 
lie  have  coni- 
forgiven  him. 


ary  to  send  to 
her,  and  com- 
,v  soldier,  hnt 
lat  ministered 
ged  after  you 
iness,  because 
had  been  sick. 
;h  unto  death: 
11 ;  and  not  on 
lest  I  should 
Phil,  ii,  25-27.) 

;ekiah  the  cap- 
aith  the  Lord, 
ather,  I  have 
een  thy  tears: 
2  Kings  XX,  5.) 


That  we  may  pray  for  the  removal 
of  disease,  the   Word   plainly   teaches. 
"The   prayer   of   faith   shall    heal    the 
sick."      But  the   "prayer  of  faith"  is 
characterized  by  resignation  to  the  will 
of  God.     He  who  said,  "Not  as  I  will, 
but  as  thou  wilt,"  has  by  his  example 
taught  us  to  qualify  all  our  asking  by 
humble     submission.       Our     petitions 
cease  to  be  prayers  when  they  demand 
an  answer  other  than  our  Lord  chooses 
to  give.      So,  when  we  pray  for  phys- 
ical healing,  we  are  to  ask  in  faith  that 
it  will  be  done  if  that  is  best.     When 
the  thorn  in  the  flesh  is  not  removed, 
we  may  be  sure  that  his  grace  will  be 
all-sufficient  to  bear  it.     Christ's  prayer 
in  the  garden  was  not  answered.     The 

—  27  — 


:MKRRY  heart  doctli  Rood  like  a  medi- 
ciiK".  but  a  broken  spirit  drieth  the 
hones.     (I'rov.  xvii,  22.) 

But  a  certain  vSaniarilan,  as  he  jour- 
nej-ed,  came  where  he  was;  and  when 
he  saw  him,  he  had  compassion  on  him, 
.  and  went  to  him,  and  Ijonnd  up  his 
wounds,  pouriuR  in  oil  and  wine,  and 
set  him  on  his  own  beast,  and  broight 
him  to  an  inn,  and  took  cakk  oi'  him. 
(Luke  X,  33,  .u) 

But  when  Jesus  heard  that,  he  said 
unto  them.  They  that  be  whole  need  not 
a  physician,  but  they  that  are  sick. 
(Matt,  ix,  12.) 

Luke,  the  beloved  physician.     (Col. 

iv,  1 4-) 

—  28  — 


COMFORT  FOR  THH  SICK. 


;  like  a  medi- 
it    drieth    the 


in,  as  he  jour- 
as;  and  when 
ission  on  him, 
)onnd  up  his 
md  wine,  and 
.,  and  1)ronght 

CAKK  OI"  IIIM. 


1  that,  he  said 
vholc  need  not 
;hat    are    sick. 


y.sician.     (Col. 


cup  of  suffering  was  not  taken  away; 
but  there  appeared  angels  from  heaven 
strengthening   him.      Another    charac- 
teristic of  the  "  prayer  of   faith  "  is   a 
willingness    on    the    part   of   him   who 
offers  it  to  do  what    he  can    to  render 
extraordinary    and     miraculous    means 
unnecessary.       The     Christian     prays, 
"Thy  kingdom  come,"  and  does  all  he 
can  to  cause   it  to  come,  through  the 
means   God   has   already   put   into  his 
hands.     The  saint  who  in  poverty  says, 
"Give   us   this   day   our    daily   bread," 
believes  he  ought  to  use  every  power 
with  which  he  is  endowed  to  earn  his 
bread.     And  when,  prostrated  with  dis- 
ease, we  cry  to  God  for  help,  we  still 

shall  not   forget   to  use   what  has  al- 
—  29- 


[hOU  wilt  shew  mc  the  path  of  life:    in 
'   thy  presence  is   fnllness  of  joy;    at   thy 
right  hand  there  are  pleasures  for  ever- 
more.    (Psalms  xvi,  ii.) 

They  shall  be  abundantly  satisfied 
with  the  fatness  of  thy  house;  and  thou 
shalt  make  them  drink  of  the  river  of 
thy  pleasures.  For  with  thee  is  the 
fountain  of  life:  in  thy  liglit  shall  we 
see  ligbt.     (P.salms  xxxvi,  8,  9.) 

Blessed  are  ye  that  hunger  now :  for 
ye  shall  be  filled.  Blessed  are  ye  that 
weep  now:    for  ye  shall  laugh.     (Luke 

vi,  21.) 

—  30  — 


'I 


v.,- 


COMFORT  FOR  THE  SiCK. 


of  life :  in 
joy;  at  thy 
res  for  ever- 


tly  satisfied 
e;  and  thou 
the  river  of 
thee  is  the 
;ht  shall  we 

9) 

a^er  now:  for 

are  ye  that 

ugh.     (Luke 


ready  been  put  within  our  reach.  We 
shall  not  despise  the  ministrations  of 
him  who,  as  a  type  of  the  Good  Phy- 
sician, comes  to  our  bedside,  a  messen- 
ger of  healing.  And  when  the  ordi- 
nary means  shall  fail,  then  we  may 
ask,  in  full  assurance  of  faith,  the  use 
of  the  extraordinary,  assured  that  he 
who  made  us  will  re-make  us,  if 
thereby  we  may  glorify  him  better. 

O,  believe,  thou  suffering  one,  that 
he  who  knoweth  what  is  best,  the  best 
will  give.  His  presence  is  pledged 
for  evermore.  He  giveth  himself,  and, 
in  giving  himself,  he  giveth  all.  Be 
patient  awhile.  The  cloud  will  break 
in  blessings.     Remember  that  it  was  a 

cloud  which  received  the  Master  after 
-31- 


Comfort  for  the  Sick. 


his    parting    with    the    disciples.       In 
clouds   he    hides   himself   still.      Pres- 
ently  they   will    break,  and    the    Lord 
will  be  revealed.     Submit  your  anxious 
heart  and  that  tired,  pain-racked  body 
wholly  to  him.     Out  of  the  furnace-fire 
of    affliction    he    will    bring    the    pure 
gold    of    the    kingdom.     One    day    our 
pains  will  end.     These  bodies,  subject 
now   to   so    many  limitations,  will   be 
sanctified    and    glorified.     "And    God 
shall   wipe   away  all   tears;    and  there 
shall  be  no  more  death,  neither  sorrow, 
nor  crying,  neither  shall  THERE  BE 

ANY  MORE  PAIN." 

-  32- 


.-^As.^r^i^^-^ir.'if.X:-'^ 


:k. 

:iples.       In 
till.      Pres- 
.    the    Lord 
our  anxious 
acked  body 

furnace-fire 
g  the  pure 
ne  day  our 
dies,  subject 
)ns,   will    be 

"And  God 
;  and  there 
ither  sorrow, 

h  THERE   BE 


